Jackie Rhea Douglas

After graduating high school, he joined the Army Air Corps and was stationed at Merced, California and Luke Air Force Base, Arizona where he taxied airplanes and developed a love and desire to pursue flying. After being honorably discharged in 1945, he attended Oklahoma State on the G.I. bill and studied engineering. His education was put on hold when he joined the Air Force in 1949. He did his pilot training at Randolph AFB in San Antonio, and graduated flight training in June 1950.

Jack distinguished himself serving across 3 wars; WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Flying F-84's, P-51's, A-1's and T-39's.

On his way to becoming Colonel he earned numerous accolades, a Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and he received a Purple Heart when he was shot down in Korea.

When Jack returned to Oklahoma State to finish his degree, he met his wife, Shirley. They danced through life together for 67 years. He loved to golf, fish, hunt, and ski. He and Shirley traveled extensively all over the world, by way of RV, cruises, and airplanes. He was most proud of the house he built in Angel Fire, New Mexico for the family to vacation in. They later lived in the home before moving to Georgetown 28 years ago.

He is preceded in death by his son Jackie Rhea Jr. and daughter Debra.

He is survived by his wife Shirley, daughters Janette Douglas and Caroline May, and grandchildren Jill and Jenny Patterson and Trent and Rachel May.

A memorial service will be held on August 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at The Wesleyan Independent Living, 210 White Heron Drive. He will be interred Friday, August the 18th at the Central Texas State Cemetery at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, his wife and family ask that memorial contributions be made online or by mail to The Wesleyan or First United Methodist Church of Georgetown by using the donations tab below.